Salvation Army kicks off red kettle fundraiser

The Salvation Army kicked off its Red Kettle Fundraiser Friday at Amigos.

The Salvation Army kicked off its Red Kettle Fundraiser Friday at Amigos.

Photo: Courtesy Photo

Photo: Courtesy Photo

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The Salvation Army kicked off its Red Kettle Fundraiser Friday at Amigos.

The Salvation Army kicked off its Red Kettle Fundraiser Friday at Amigos.

Photo: Courtesy Photo

Salvation Army kicks off red kettle fundraiser

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It's the time of year for red kettles and bells and The Salvation Army needs your help.

The organization kicked off the campaign Friday at Amigos.

The grocery store donated a $1,000 sponsorship check to The Salvation Army.

This is the organization's biggest fundraiser. Michelle Rutherford, the branch's executive director, said there are volunteers signed up to ring bells through this weekend but there is no one else signed up until Dec. 1.

The tradition of the red kettles dates back to December of 1891, according to The Salvation Army's website. It was started as a way to provide Christmas dinner for 1,000 poor people and came up with the idea to utilize a large pot for charitable donations after seeing one as a sailor in England. So he set one out and collected enough to bring alive his vision to feed the poor.

That mission of the nonprofit has since expanded, Rutherford said. The Salvation Army now offers numerous services to help the poor with food, clothes, shelter and bills.

In Plainview, the organization offers hot meals every day, showers and a food pantry for those who need the services.

Since it's a nonprofit, it relies heavily on donations, she said. Those donations not only fund these services but they cover overhead costs and payments to its few employees.

Hiring bell ringers poses a problem for The Salvation Army because if there are no volunteers to ring bells, the organization has to hire individuals, which takes away from its budget, Rutherford said.

Those interested in participating can ring for just one hour or a full day, Rutherford said.

"One hour of ringing provides 13 meals," she said.

Kettle locations are at Walmart, United Supermarkets, Amigo's, the intersection of Interstate 27 and Olton Road and the intersection of Fifth St. and Quincy St. Bells and kettles are typically out from about 10 a.m. until about 7 p.m. The times vary by location.

To participate in the fundraiser, contact The Salvation Army at (806) 296-6375.